Bremner mill pond with the log slide in the background, (Susan River), 1891–Betty B. Deal
In 1888 when the Bremner dam and sawmill was constructed on the Susan River (two miles west of Susanville) it created a sizeable reservoir backing up water for over a mile. This was really beneficial in the spring months with high water flows, logs were cut and floated down the river to the mill.
On the north side rim of the canyon there was a heavy stand of pine timber. The dilemma how to log it? In the summer of 1891, some one came up with a solution. Because of the steep incline an impromptu dirt log slide was developed, and it worked!
With Honey Lake now being transformed into a dry lake bed, its hard to imagine the lake as a fishery. In April 1875, Thomas J. Mulroney noted that remarkable numbers of white fish and suckers were coming up Baxter Creek from Honey Lake. In 1908, the California Board of the Fish and Game Commission stocked Honey Lake with blue gill, crappie and yellow perch. In 1912, it was reported the fish were thriving. In 1909, there was even an attempt to transfer black bass from Eagle Lake to Honey Lake.
On other hand, when the lake first went dry in 1859 it was reported “Immense quantities of fish have been destroyed and are now decaying on the deserted bed. In 1887, a similar incident was reported when the lake dried up. A number of residents in the Buntingville area were taken ill from the “intolerable stench” of decaying fish. The Lassen Advocate reported on August 25, 1887; “Honey Lake is fast drying up and the stench from dead fish contaminates the air for miles around.”
Indian ruins along Pine Creek, near Eagle Lake, 1938
While sifting through photographs for the coming years’ calendar I came across the above photograph. It is interesting that in the formal studies of the various Native American tribes of the region this encampment, probably only seasonal in nature, is never recognized. Most peculiar indeed. During the 1950s and 1960s the forest service noted it as an attraction at Eagle Lake, and even appeared on their maps. Ditto, as they did the same with the Eagle Lake ice caves, showing several different locations. Back to the Indian ruins. Not many people are aware of a little known fact that the Eagle Lake basin contains petroglyphs, which is rather unusual as well.
Dodge Reservoir located in the northeastern part of Lassen County and has an interesting tale in its development. It would take twenty years from its inception to its completion. It began in 1889, when Albert L. Shinn* formed the Union Land & Stock Company. Shinn proposed that the water from Red Rock Creek could provide irrigation for the entire eastern Madeline Plains. The reservoir was originally named Lake Lockett, for the Company’s Civil Engineer, H.M. Lockett. In the early 1890s, the Union Land & Stock Company started the irrigation project but eventually construction ceased because of lack of funds and other problems. On December 9, 1907, Henry C. Dodge acquired an option to buy the Union Land & Stock Company’s failed Red Rock irrigation system. In 1909, Dodge formed the Madeline Valley Land & Irrigation Company to undertake this enterprise. In the fall of 1909, the Company contracted with August and Alfred Anderson to build the system. In December 1909, Dodge Reservoir was completed. In 1912, Henry C. Dodge died during an altercation in Reno, Nevada. Dodge’s two sons, Carl and Dana, continued with the family enterprise on the eastern Madeline Plains. On January 14, 1949, Bernys M. Dodge, the agent for the Dodge Brothers, sold the Dodge Ranch and Reservoir to George and Jean Smith.
When the fishing is good there, its really good and worth the trek.
*Shinn was part of the Shinn Ranch family, became a well known attorney in the region and later Sacramento.
Haying on the Sugru Ranch, with Sugru Hill in the background, 1900–Robert E. Trussell
Most maps have incorrect spelling as Shugru. Few people know the name of this very visible small reservoir on Bass Hill opposite the entrance of the Bass Hill Landfill along Highway 395.
In 1874, Michael Sugru a native of Ireland, settled at the base when this area south Johnstonville was known then as Howard Flat. In 1909, Sugru’s son, James constructed a reservoir to hold run off water from Bass Hill to irrigate the family farm, directly below it—today it is the Egan Ranch. In 1943, Sugro sold the ranch to A. Simonson.
Haying at the Elledge Ranch, near Standish, 1900. Courtesy of Camilla Moody
One of the most unique and distinct pieces of agricultural equipment in the Intermountain West was the hay derrick. There were no standardized derrick. They were either hand made by the farmer’s or a neighbor. Besides the derrick, a buckrake, net settlers and derrick cart were utilized.
The stacker required talent, to make sure each corner was kept square. Keeping the hay stack uniformed was a must. If not, if one side became overloaded, the whole stack would collapse. Then there was the final touch. The top of the stock was rounded off to resemble a loaf of bread. This was an utmost necessity. The rounded top repelled rain and snow.
Hay stacks at the Lonkey Ranch, 1911. Today the ranch is known as Five Dot in the Willow Creek Valley.C.R. Caudle Collection
Hayden Hill’s second largest producing mine is an interesting one. In its first four years, it had yielded some $400,000 in gold. Then the mine struggled encountering china clay deposits. The mine persevered over the years and in the early 1920s had a revival of sorts. In all, it produced some $600,000 in bullion, about half of the Hill’s largest producer, the Golden Eagle Mine.
By 1930 the Juniper Mine had been abandoned. The building remained intact until 1956 when it was struck by lightning and burned down.
Oakes and Philbrook’s furniture store under construction at 800 Main Street.
On June 6, 1900 a destructive fire wiped out a major portion of Susanville’s business district on the south side of Main Street from Roop to Union. But prior to fire, the Susanville School District had hired Reno contractor C.E. Clough to construct a two-story brick school to replace the wooden one on Cottage Street at a cost of $12,500.
As noted yesterday, was the construction of Emerson’s three-story brick hotel. Clough kept really busy. On August 29, 1900 the Methodist Church hired him to build a brick church for the wooden destroyed earlier by fire at a cost of $4,739. Next up was Oakes & Philbrook Furniture Store at the southeast corner of Main and Gay Streets. That building along with the Methodist Church are the only two still remaining.
The Susanville Grammar School, nee Washington, as it appeared in 1948.
Emerson Hotel under construction, 1901. Courtesy of Mary Dale Folsom
After the devastating fire of June 6, 1900, a new Susanville would arise from the ashes. In addition, the town witnessed a substantial use of brick for the preferred building material.
On July 31, 1900 groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the largest most expensive building to be constructed in town to date. It was Charlie Emerson’s three-story hotel, encompassing a quarter of a block on the southwest corner of Main and Lassen Streets. Emerson invested some $300,000 to construct and furnish the brick building that contained 27,576 square feet. The ground floor was devoted to commercial and the upper two floors contained 76 guest rooms. A grand opening was held on June 3, 1901, and The Emerson became the town’s premiere social hub.
Emerson Hotel
The Emerson Hotel was destroyed by fire in 1915. Ten years later, it was replaced by the Hotel Mt. Lassen at a cost of $300,000.
Note: It has been relayed that Lassen Volcanic National Park has closed portions park, including Warner Valley and Juniper Lake.
Here we are in the middle of summer. While I never run out of ideas of places to see, I do have some recommendations—one being Drakesbad. If you are not familiar with Drakesbad it is an old resort located in Lassen Volcanic National Park which access is via Chester and Warner Valley.
Why Drakesbad? First it is unique. It provides an excellent launch for day hikes to such points as Boiling Springs Lake and Devils Kitchen, to name a few. The food is really good, too. Personally, I like to call ahead an order a sack lunch to go. It can not be stressed enough to dine there, though you need to make reservations. There are many benefits in doing so. For more information see Drakesbad Guest Ranch.
